The Rolling Stones, Talitha & Paul Getty (Talitha made caftans fashion-y, definitely worth a fall down a Pinterest rabbit hole when you have a sec) , the Beats (Kerouac, Ginsberg, Burroughs), and 1950’s Supermodel Suzy Parker were all gaga over Morocco at various points in their lives.

Almost Famous fans (Cameron Crowe’s cinematic love letter to the early 70’s rock scene in LA) will also remember Kate Hudson’s Penny Lane jetting off to Morocco in the final scenes.

And who could forget season 1, episode 5 of Anthony Bourdain’s CNN show Parts Unknown which was filmed in Tangier, a Moroccan port on the Strait of Gibralter?

Then, of course, there was the infamous Morocco trip that faux heiress Anna Delvey took her NYC squad on, that as part of the bigger story about how she scammed movers and shakers in that city, was the talk of Twitter, Facebook, and Page Six in 2018. (Whilst we’re on the subject, highly recommend My Friend Anna, Rachel DeLoache Williams’ memoir about being scammed out of thousands by Anna.)

More recently, so many lifestyle and travel bloggers continue to post from there.

If, however, you can't get to the Kingdom of Morocco in the near future for a holiday, then you’ll want to know about a place in Providence, open since 2009, where you can take a tea or coffee (or study, or lunch) break and feel as though you've been transported to an exotic locale. At least for a little while anyway...

Yes, I'm talking about Tea in Sahara, a city cafe replete with tile topped tables, lantern type light fixtures (dim in this case definitely = cozy), throw pillows, and tapistry style rugs, tucked away on Governor Street on the East Side of Providence.

There’s also a patio out back, something to bookmark for when the weather warms up again around these parts come May and June, which btw feels like a billion years aways as I recheck my weather app to see that it is currently 24 degrees outside.

So, maybe it's not quite as hidden, under the radar, or mysterious as it was a few years ago. No matter, it’s still a relaxing, quiet-ish spot for tea and a nosh. Ask for the iconic Moroccan mint and HIGH POUR, and do try to to film some footage for IG Stories or a REEL.

The high pour is supposed to help the tea mix with the air, and apparently, in the traditional tea ceremony, the higher the pour, the more important the guest.

If tea isn’t your thing, you can always get hot chocolate or coffee, and a snack or small plate. I mean, regulars have been known to wax poetic about their hummus, grape leaves, and baklava.

Also, take along a friend who’s probably never been and you’ll be a rock star in their eyes.

*Tea In Sahara is located at 69 Governor Street in Providence, RI.

As always, if you go after reading this, please let them know you were inspired by PattyJ.com and Patty J.